Monday marked the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall. It's one of those events that I can remember watching unfold and being amazed at. Even more than Tienanmen square. The wall was such a symbol of oppression, of the opposition of what America stood for. It had a feeling like the pyramids, of permanence and menace that was unmatched. A place where taking one step over a line would get you shot.
Now it is barely a memory for those who live in Berlin. A nightmare for the older generations, most of whom have already passed. What lessons have we learned? Not many it seems. Just a reminder of how old some of us are.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Thoughts on off year elections and Fort Hood
Trying to get back into the habit of writing while a topic is relevant. Might take some time and some getting used to, but here it goes. This past Tuesday, in a "shocking" reversal from last year, several important elections went to Republican candidates. The media and the Left seemed to be surprised at this turn out, and the Right has seen it as furthering their agenda. Both sides are going to the wrong conclusions. The situation would be humorous if it wasn't such serious business. Heads must remain level, and the conclusions must be drawn in small steps.
Let's start with the Left's reaction. They have tried to play it off as nothing, but the way they say things reveals their true feelings. They are scared that after finally regaining control of congress and the white house that they will lose it even quicker. They will move to abandon principles that seem to raise the public ire, and what little spine they had left will vanish. The Left suffers from a major disbelief that the center of the country is more to the right than it actually is. They were elected on a platform of ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and on health care reform. And they have fallen through, seen as dragging their feet, and as a complete failure. Instead of focusing on their principles, standing for something, they sell out the principles that they were elected on. Democrats in congress fight among themselves like rats over the last scrap of cheese in amaze. And then they try to compromise in the best traditions of republican government, but compromise is impossible when one side is unwilling to move. The Right simply opposes anything the Left puts forth and the Left refuses to take the initiative and push something through in line with what the people actually want. The half assed health care reform that is being put forth is worse than not doing anything. Make radical changes, that is what you were elected for. Don't be scared of it because someone like Glen Beck is against it. Contrary to what he wants to believe, he is not representative of the majority of America. There is not a "silent majority" that opposes everything you are doing. You just have to have the backbone to do something.
The Right on the other hand is claiming a victory for their principles. There is no evidence of that what so ever. But there has been a backlash against the Democrats which they have been able to capitalize on in a very very small way. The petty infighting and ineffectiveness of the Left in congress and across the country has done more to harm the Left than anything the Right has ever done. Just they understand enough of how to capitalize on their opponents mistakes. The Right is much better at seeming effective, which is what swayed votes their way this time. If the Left could make something happen, something that is felt on the streets, something that is for the good of the country and the world, then that would squelch the backlash.
Now for the much touchier subject, the shootings at Fort Hood. It is a tragedy of grave proportions. But it should not be used as a lynch pin for more racism. The fact is the man who did the shooting was an doctor and a major, educated and a career army officer. An American citizen who had served his country for years. No evidence that I have heard is anywhere near proof that he was a Muslim extremist, sleeper agent, or anything of the like. He was an army man who lost it. That is what the focus should be on. The lives that were lost are heartbreaking. But the backlash that will follow in public perception and extremist media is a disgrace to everything that those in the military supposedly fight for.
Let's start with the Left's reaction. They have tried to play it off as nothing, but the way they say things reveals their true feelings. They are scared that after finally regaining control of congress and the white house that they will lose it even quicker. They will move to abandon principles that seem to raise the public ire, and what little spine they had left will vanish. The Left suffers from a major disbelief that the center of the country is more to the right than it actually is. They were elected on a platform of ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and on health care reform. And they have fallen through, seen as dragging their feet, and as a complete failure. Instead of focusing on their principles, standing for something, they sell out the principles that they were elected on. Democrats in congress fight among themselves like rats over the last scrap of cheese in amaze. And then they try to compromise in the best traditions of republican government, but compromise is impossible when one side is unwilling to move. The Right simply opposes anything the Left puts forth and the Left refuses to take the initiative and push something through in line with what the people actually want. The half assed health care reform that is being put forth is worse than not doing anything. Make radical changes, that is what you were elected for. Don't be scared of it because someone like Glen Beck is against it. Contrary to what he wants to believe, he is not representative of the majority of America. There is not a "silent majority" that opposes everything you are doing. You just have to have the backbone to do something.
The Right on the other hand is claiming a victory for their principles. There is no evidence of that what so ever. But there has been a backlash against the Democrats which they have been able to capitalize on in a very very small way. The petty infighting and ineffectiveness of the Left in congress and across the country has done more to harm the Left than anything the Right has ever done. Just they understand enough of how to capitalize on their opponents mistakes. The Right is much better at seeming effective, which is what swayed votes their way this time. If the Left could make something happen, something that is felt on the streets, something that is for the good of the country and the world, then that would squelch the backlash.
Now for the much touchier subject, the shootings at Fort Hood. It is a tragedy of grave proportions. But it should not be used as a lynch pin for more racism. The fact is the man who did the shooting was an doctor and a major, educated and a career army officer. An American citizen who had served his country for years. No evidence that I have heard is anywhere near proof that he was a Muslim extremist, sleeper agent, or anything of the like. He was an army man who lost it. That is what the focus should be on. The lives that were lost are heartbreaking. But the backlash that will follow in public perception and extremist media is a disgrace to everything that those in the military supposedly fight for.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)